You have probably come across the phrase, “fake it until you make it.” There are those whose moral high horses find it terribly misguiding and then those who, alarmingly and in unhealthy amounts, take it too seriously!
Monica Jacobs Birwinyo is not a ‘life forcer’ and we shall applaud her as one of the brilliant creatives nominated for the Best Actress award for her stunning performance in a story about impersonation, Law of Consequences, at the yet to be concluded Uganda Film Festival (UFF), 2024.
She stars as Jackie Kirabo, a journalist desperate for a big scoop to keep her job, whilst jostling to make ends meet as a first born of two girls. Her mother has high and nagging expectations, and her beloved father is ill with exorbitant medical bills. Amidst all this, she is jaded and nursing a betrayal from an ex-boyfriend who ironically marries her sister, and he is the subject of her next big story.
Read that again, only slowly this time!
“Goodness this role!” Monica begins. “I really struggled with changing personality. I had to play a vulnerable character yet in real life I hate showing people my weak side. I would rather pretend to be strong and yet here I was supposed to undergo manipulation, betrayal by those I love the most and stand it.”
Being in the film industry for about ten years now with a variety of appearances in Ugandan TV series and movies, Monica doubles as a co-founder and director at Baba Yangu, a non-profit organization that works with children, women and vulnerable communities. Receiving the news about her nomination by text message, she burst out into tears of joy.
“Acting for me is reacting to what your co-actor gives you as well as bonding with and getting energy from the rest of the crew. I appreciate the writers of the script because they were able to make every character independent with very clear goals and reasons for their actions,” continues the actress who, fun fact, is a woman in motorsport and competes at the National Rally Championship! Can you beat that?
At this juncture, allow us finally call out a fake person, Kisa Bigirimana, the 29-year-old ex-boyfriend who impersonates a law student and eventually becomes a Chief Magistrate and will do everything to stay at the top. A role perfectly executed by Bryan Byamukama Powers.
“I was not familiar with court life and legal jargon, yet I was to be the Chief Magistrate. It takes a lot to deliver certain dialogue in English as compared to our familiar local dialects, so I had to pass by LDC to see what Law students dress like and how they handle themselves. Then I sweated a lot in my neckties and coats scene after scene,” he laughs.
A story written from October 2022 with about four re-edits, saw two writers, Sharon Nakayenze and Jo Ojok, piecing together an investigative journalism piece- a representation of a day to day working class woman navigating health, financial and relationship dynamics.
“Monica is a humble person who takes instructions seriously. The nomination is already a win, and I am excited for her. Story and character development are the most challenging phases of script writing but there is insurmountable joy in seeing one’s words being brought to life. There is uncertainty of how it will turn out because we often think other people won’t see our vision. I am humbled by the nomination and grateful to the entire cast and crew for working tirelessly,” applauds Sharon.
According to Johnson Kibazu, the Director of Photography, the one hour and a half movie took eleven days to film, mostly because of the dedication from the actors who endeavored to have their lines and would willingly adjust when necessary as well as prior preparation with shooting guides.
“I would like to nominate our entire productions crew. Shooting in a studio is something that goes beyond ordinary creativity because transforming an empty space into a complete house is hard work,” he commends.
A quick word with the props and Set Designer, Angel Gumisiriza, further revealed that some items, especially the furniture in the courtroom, were created from scratch, and it took two days and painting the different sets took a day each.
Definitely anybody being nominated for the first time in anything would be giddy and sharing it every day on their WhatsApp statuses. Charlie Kobong, the Director of the film is finally lounging in a festival nomination.
“I do appreciate UFF, and it feels great a starting point of a journey. But I wish they would include a category for first time film makers to encourage growth for the industry,” implores Charlie. With short films screened at other festivals such as LIFTOFF festival and PIFF, Charlie strongly believes that editors should be acknowledged more because they are the final part of the process that bring a movie to life and put in a lot of effort to see them through.
Law of Consequences, is a Ugandan made film produced by Dilstories Film studio located at Plot 93, Sonde Estates, Sonde-Kisikirize Road, Bukerere, and is currently being screened at various Kampala city cinemas as a UFF initiative.
“I respect the professionalism at Dilstories. I had worked with them before Law of Consequences yet I still had to go through auditions in spite of their knowledge of my capabilities. They make me learn that in this industry, it is not about who you are but what you bring to the table,” concludes Monica.
We would like to wish all the nominees at this year’s UFF good luck and to all film makers, keep on keeping on and don’t forget to go watch Law of Consequences on the 1st of June at Century Cinemax, Acacia Mall from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.
Written by Mercy Geno Apachi
This is incredible 👏